Transparency: Casa del Fascio

The Casa del Fascio, designed by Giuseppe Terragni, is an excellent example of a super-monument from the 1930s.  The transparency of the building is a fascinating topic to expound upon.  Built in the Italian rationalist style, Terragni designed Casa del Fascio as an administration building for the Fascist Party under Mussolini and intended for there to be little or no border between the public and fascism through his use of transparency.  For example, large windows surround the conference rooms so that full communication is possible between the public and the people in power. Also, the first level of the front façade opens up so that political rallies could take place properly.  The multi-layered quality of the façade also contributes to the transparency of the structure by creating frames to the outdoors.  In the cuttings shown below, I have chosen to focus on this transparent aspect by demonstrating how the two layers of the façade combine to produce a more welcoming and open feel.